Until a few years ago I had never joined any clubs. I was squeezed into joining one when a riding mate in the Vincent club was killed on his Black Shadow while we were riding home from California eight years ago. He was Section Organizer for the local group here and I was asked to take over the position, which I did for four years.
It turned out to be a very good thing, I have ended up doing so much more Riding and Socializing than I ever would have as a nonmember. Sort of dragged me out of my shell.
And the little Rider's handbook is a Godsend, in it you have the names of fellow club members from all over the world. They will provide every kind of emergency assistance from lodgings, to parts supply and machineshop work. It makes it possible to ride a seventy year old motorcycle on big trips in foreign countries with a good safety net under you in case of breakdown. I have never needed to use it, but it gives you the security needed to set off on a three or four thousand mile trip with a carefree attitude.
I dont belong to any Norton club, but I imagine they have a similar listing?
I have seen a small amount of the empire building super serious types who use the club as a way to exercise control over others. That gets old in a hurry and isnt tolerated by the local group, tho the big Mother club in England has a few bolt-up- the- ass, self important characters.
We generally try to ignore their bad behaviour and let them do tons of boring organizing work. Martrydom seems to be a common trait in this type of personality, might as well take advantage of that!
Glen
